Islamic Relief Canada sends 2 teams to B.C. to assist wildfire evacuees

Burlington-based Islamic Relief Canada has sent two teams to the west coast to help those affected by the wildfires.

“We have a team from Edmonton scheduled to go to Prince George and a team from Calgary scheduled to go to Kamloops,” said Reyhana Patel, head of media and external relations for Islamic Relief Canada. “Each team is from two to four people who will manage and lead the operation and we connect with the local Muslim community there and work in partnership with them.”

Teams will be distributing supplies at donation distribution centres in Prince George and Kamloops and will connect with local mosques and other agencies on the ground to assess what other needs they can help with, said Patel.

Among the truckloads of supplies will be food, clothing, hygiene kits, baby supplies, pillows and blankets.

The IRC is also on standby in Kelowna, said Patel.

“No evacuees have fled to this area as yet but we are on standby, when this happens, to provide aid.”

Islamic Relief Canada has also sent out a call for donations and hopes to raise $100,000 as they did during the Fort McMurray wildfires. The money would be spent in phases for immediate aid and recovery relief after evacuees are allowed to go back home. Islamic Relief Canada works in more than 40 countries and is the largest Muslim charity in Canada.